University of Southeastern Philippines

Bo. Obrero Campus, Davao City

FIELD TRIP

AND

SEMINARS

TRAVEL REPORT

Submitted by:

Sharlyn Aster Y. Pasco

Submitted to:

Randy S. Gamboa

FTS Facilitator

September 16-20, 2013

Seminar Overview

The first day of our field trip and seminars wasn’t a dry and sunny day. It started with a wet, cold and rainy day which also caused some delays. The schedule of our arrival in NAIA was affected due to the weather condition in Manila. The plane wasn’t able to follow the schedule because of the thick clouds. Anyway, our first day was Informative and a little Interactive if what we came was only a tour around the vicinity of the agency itself. There were prizes to be won, which is a fan. On the other hand the history of the agency or SSS was tackled and how the agency works and how it operates as a government agency.

On the second day of the field trip and seminars was sunny and a good weather. The Seminar involved a lot of different personalities and different stories aiming to make us Imagine, Innovate and Inspire. It doesn’t only limit to informative speeches but also it involves inspiring talks from different people with stories which only started from scratch to success. The seminar provides information which one can’t find within the four corners of a classroom. The talk was very interesting since most speakers are college drop outs now turned into professionals and owner of their own company. Now no one can just simply look down on those college drop outs, they might be drop outs but due to their hard work and passion they have achieve success. Their determination has made them the people they are now. Failure shouldn’t stop you from doing what you want but it should be the driving force as to which will push you to work harder the next time.

It was also a good weather on the third day of the field trip, there was a seminar on two different companies the PLDT and IBM which was very informative since they gave us the chance to learn how their company operates. The communication isn’t only one-way which also challenges us to listen all throughout the discussion. They also don’t limit to sightseeing or just the usual tour where you only look around, but they’d explain how things work. We might not have taken a lot of pictures on this day but we were never short of the knowledge though we were short of time every discussion was full of information. We also gained and saw their vision for the next few years. This day is also one of the best company visits. Later in the afternoon it rained hard.

The fourth day of the field trip and seminars was long or should I say it was a very long travel going to Laguna. The seminar was amazing. A lot of information was imparted to us by TOSHIBA. They shared about the history of their company and then later discussed how they operate as a company. They also imparted to us the ways on how they make their workers happy and their vision and mission which reaches to environmental awareness. The discussion isn’t one-way and it was amazing knowing that students from USeP also work there and also students from other Universities from Davao. We had a tour around the company or should I say the whole plant which is wide enough. The discussion was more on the hardware parts knowing that it is a production plant and not simply a software company.

On the last day of our field trip and seminars the weather was fair. The seminar is about how the MMDA monitors the happenings within the city and especially the streets of the city. They showed how they monitor the happenings in the different roads of Manila. The discussion didn’t only limit to the MMDA itself. There was also a discussion on how to be prepared in earthquakes and a little interactive activity in the Shake, Rattle and Learn House, where they let us experience and evaluate the earthquakes. The discussion with the MMDA was fun and interactive. Even in our last stay in Manila we had a lot of fun and learning.

Day 1

Today I went on a seminar to the SSS which is also known as the Social Security System in East Avenue, Quezon City. The Social Security System is a social insurance program which helps the workers in our country. It is a government agency which provides retirement and health benefit to those who are enrolled employees in the country. It is also an assurance for social distress or a contingency for sickness, child birth, disability, retirement and death.

What I learned?

What I learned is that the SSS started on the year 1970-1983 and was centralized. Later on, at the year 1983-1986 manual verification started and they partnered with Nestle and Meralco. On the year 1986-1992 they used Oracles RDBMS and they decentralized their operations. And then on 1992-1996 there was extension of their services. Later, year 1997-2003 RA 8282 was implemented to strengthen the services of SSS and the start of a more interactive service of the SSS allowing the sending of texts to SSS and the implementation in the web. On the year 2003-2009 began the internal web online inquiry system. At the present we can see that SSS is able to interact with the enrolled employees nationwide better than before. There are now 134 local branches of SSS around the country. More or less I’ve learned the history of the SSS itself.

What I liked?

I liked the way they accept their guests in SSS because they provide them with the right information which will give everyone an idea as to how the agency works. It is like providing their background first for more understanding then feeding the right information needed for the seminar. Aside from the informative background they also have their very own SSS Museum and Library where they showcase different parts of history and at that time they showcased the time of Andres Bonifacio with the story of Katipunan.

What I didn’t like?

The SSS is a good agency and has good services but after we went there I felt that there were insufficient information and learning since the agency itself isn’t very much in to the ICT Industry. It was more like; there was a shortage of information in regards to our course.

Day 2

Today I went on a seminar to the Y4iT or the Youth for Information Technology held in SMX Convention Center of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. It was a very good seminar especially that there were a lot of good speakers. The seminar had a lot of information which will definitely open the minds of people in the ICT Industry. It also inspires students like us and even professionals to never give up even if there are a lot of problems in the way.

What I learned?

I learned that people from the ICT Industry started with ideas. Their ideas became their starting point before they became the people they are now. They worked hard and they never stopped even if they failed. Some ideas might come from innovations but it worked for them. They taught us that there isn’t replacement for hardwork. The seminar was full of stories worth listening and worth the time. There was a speaker who talked about devices having their own control. That is true because at the present people kept on relying to devices which require private information not knowing that the information they have provided is already compromised. Knowing things aside from information provided in school helps each one of us that there is more to the world than just studying for exams and aiming for good grades, because some of the stories has involve college drop-outs who found their way in the ICT Industry. They don’t encourage students to drop-out from school instead they inspire each of us that even college drop-outs can have their own stories of success. It was a great seminar because they also give us ideas as to how to improve our talents. There was a speaker who said that it is good to be a jack of all trades but it is much better if you have your own specialization. The speakers have imparted to us not only their appointed topics but also their own experiences and life stories.

What I liked?

The seminar itself opened the mind of the students, faculties and professionals that there is a big world out there for everyone and there is opportunity for every single one of us. I also liked the part when one of the speakers said that the friends you made today will be the people who will help you tomorrow. Also, the part where he said that if you FAILED get over it and keep moving forward. The inspiring story of Ms. Rhea Althea Guntalilib has clearly moved everyone, even though she is blind she made a difference and her story of success is one of the best I have heard. Another speaker that I liked was Kevin Leversee who said that “Ignorance is not funny”. What he said was true not knowing about anything isn’t funny at all because you are deprived of the information that you need to know. There was also a speaker who tackled the networking. It might be tackled or discussed in school but I liked it that even in this seminar they share learning and discuss it in seminars such as these because it can help expand our knowledge about the subject. I also liked the raffle part where every participant got very excited because of the Asus laptop which took time because every time the emcee’s call out a number no one would show up, after a few number of times trying then the laptop was won over by a student from other college. The seminar is great and it was a great opportunity that I was able to be there.

What I didn’t like?

What I didn’t like was nothing, because I liked the whole Youth for Information Technology Congress. It was one of the best seminars that I have participated. The only off about the Y4IT Congress is the fact that the EMCEEs can’t get the participants to actually participate and make them lively enough when they call their attention. Well, aside from the fact that they have announced the winners for the raffles and also the prizes to be won.

Day 3

Today I went on a seminar to PLDT or the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company in Mandaluyong City and IBM, Ayala Techno Hub in Commonwealth. We went to the PLDT Innolab or the Innovation Laboratory and Telecommunication Education Center of PLDT. It was first created on the year 2003 where it is the focus of research and business solution of PLDT.

On the other hand, when we went to IBM techno hub the place was nice. We had three groups to tour on their techno hub since it can’t cater our number if everyone goes. By the time of the tour they showed their personal techno hub which caters the schools they have partnerships and also the companies.

What I learned?

I learned in that seminar that PLDT Innolab aims to expand the telecommunication industry such as that time when we toured in their business solutions where they tested ideas that they have come up to before releasing in the public. Their networking is also great and they aim to use fiber optic around the country to further expand and upgrade the lines in the country. They also imparted to us the history of their company from the time it was built until the time it was destroyed and then by the time it was able to stand up again and continued their service to the present. The discussion doesn’t only limit to the PLDT’s history but also they gave us the opportunity to know how their Innolab worked. The discussion with PLDT got very interesting that we almost went past the itinerary schedule. Even so, the talk with PLDT was great.

I learned in that seminar in IBM is that logistics and database can be very useful in our field or course. They also have partnerships with schools and companies around the country. Also, I learned that IBM can help whenever we needed servers or virtual memory for downloads but as soon as we are done using it every file should be deleted or the servers should be clear. IBM also have their AI named as Watson which can answer questions and all of the information in the Wikipedia is embedded to his system giving him a wide range of knowledge which is capable of beating a humans brain.

What I liked?

I liked that the PLDT gave us the opportunity to tour around their Innolab. I also liked their Business Solution, the part where you can see their solutions to users at home, in an enterprise, contact centers, manufacturers and more. The tour was great because they showed us what their company has been doing in the present such as the home automation where users can be able to control their home appliances even when they are away with the use of internet. They also give us the chance to ask questions and that was interactive enough because the questions isn’t just one-way but both parties can ask questions. It can clear the questions in our mind. Even the part where they discussed how the F.A.S Track GPS work, a tracker which enables the tracking of cars, trucks and etc. which can immobilize the engine of the machine when it is stolen. I also liked the part when Engr. Edmund Mamboyo has started his discussion. He gave us tips on how to be rich; first, you need to save which is one of the hardest since there are a lot of things that can tempt you to take out your wallet and buy without second thought. Second, build-up certification, in building up certification you shouldn’t stop studying because working is also a continuous learning for new things and to expand you knowledge and views in things, also having certification means a greater chance of gaining work.  I also liked the part where they have shown us the glass technology showcasing the use of glass for phones, and etc. which I find a very good innovation.

I also liked that IBM techno hub provides assistance to students or beginners for their projects or whatever, whenever they needed a faster download of certain information. It is great because they help students, beginners and companies by letting them use their servers and a room where they let them use for a day or even months.

What I didn’t like?

What I didn’t like is the limited amount of time for the tour and discussion per companies. We want to learn more and gain more knowledge about their companies but we were cut off because of the time provided. I guess by the time we went to these companies we learned that the given time per companies are short, by that time we became knowledge hungry aiming to learn more not caring about the time and instead focusing on the learning.

Day 4

Today I went on a seminar to TOSHIBA Information Equipment (Phil.) Inc. located at Canlubang, Laguna where we were able to tour around their company. There you can find how they produce their products such as HDDs and SSDs which they would export and will soon be placed inside laptops.

What I learned?

I learned that TOSHIBA produces products from the Philippines and later on exports the produced HDD and SSD. They also choose workers from the Philippines knowing that Filipinos are good at using English for communication and being very meticulous. Also, they have servers with robotic hands to check if it is damaged or not. The products they produce undergo a lot of checking for assurance, giving the consumers the right quality. They have room for failed products where they study how or as to why the product has problems. They also analyze the problems and where are its roots to avoid having the same problem in the future. Through these thorough checking they review past problems and work on how to provide solution for it and the effective way of avoiding it from happening again. Though the discussion in TOSHIBA was more on the hardware part it was still great because it can push you to learn other things and to expand your own learning. It is good to have idea on the hardware part because understanding it and knowing how it works is the most basic way of effectively using these devices. I also learned that they had a long history and TOSHIBA is a combination of two different companies.

What I liked?

I liked TOSHIBA for their interaction with their workers, hospitality and their programs. Programs such as; tree planting or their environment programs where they aim to push the continuous care for our environment. Next, the family day for their workers where they invite the family members of their employees to interact and see where their family members work. They are also hospitable because every time you pass an employee they’d greet you. We more of have gained information on the hardware side though I find it really interesting that they really are careful in everything that they do. They are very meticulous and they only provide what is best. I find it nice that they reexamine where they have made a mistake in their products and study how to improve it.

What I didn’t like?

They weren’t able to properly explain the questions asked about the software side though all in all the tour and the discussion was great and interactive enough. Also, the time allotted was short because of some delays on the company side but all in all it was great.

Day 5

Today I went on a seminar to the MMDA (Traffic Engineering) or the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, in Mandaluyong City. It is a government agency in Manila equivalent to our very own PSSCC which monitors the streets of Metro Manila.

What I learned?

I learned that the MMDA monitors the streets of Manila 24/7. They don’t limit to monitoring the streets but also they monitor the weather conditions for faster action and dissemination of information to the public. Also, their cameras can turn 360 degrees enabling a more flexible way of monitoring the streets. They also stored past files and have back-ups for the recording of the accidents that happened in the past. They also have equipments capable of assisting the public whenever there is a calamity.

What I liked?

I liked the part when they weren’t biased in showing the stored files from the time there were accidents that had happened. They have really shown us the reality of the streets in Manila the possibility of accidents happening anywhere. Also, I liked the part when they let us try the Shake, Rattle and Learn House. It was great because letting students try it will help them understand that experiencing earthquakes isn’t funny and it can cost a lot of lives. Imparting us this information and letting us interact with the things they have and also giving us additional information about earthquakes was definitely a plus in our trip.  All-in-all our last company visits was educational and informative because of the additional information.

What I didn’t like?

The only thing that I didn’t like in the MMDA (Traffic Engineering) is that their traffic monitoring room is small which can only provide a limited amount of space for a number of people. Also, their monitors are small which I find hard to view and monitor, knowing that Manila itself is big enough.

APPENDIX

What can I recommend for the improvement of the advance seminar program of USEP?

I recommend that everything should be planned a semester before the seminar program itself so that parents will be informed ahead of time. The earlier the parents are informed the more that they can prepare for the payment of the program. Everything should also be planned accordingly so that on the day of the seminar program it can run smoothly. The students who are going to enroll the seminar program should be prepared enough and willingly do the decisions approved by the majority but if things really have gone rough they should inform the officers so that they can easily work on the problem. Early dissemination of information will be a great help in improving the program and also students informing their parents earlier would be a difference. There should be a constant communication between the officers, the participants, the adviser and the parents so that information is constantly passed to everyone leaving no secrecy. The more open the group is, information and the progress of the seminar itself will be easily monitored. They should also pick the right companies so that they wouldn’t waste their time going to companies which can’t help them develop their knowledge. The group should think and decide thoroughly aiming to gain more knowledge and not just the chance to have a tour outside but think of what they should gain from this advance seminar program.

My advices to those who will take their advance seminar program in the near future, to them, tell their parents earlier and not to keep any information which will make their parents uninformed of the happenings in the school. It would be much better if parents are to be gathered ahead of time because the earlier they knew the earlier they can act and suggest as to what to do. The parents should be involved because some of the students aren’t open enough to their parents and it is much better so that there will be transparency in the decisions. Students should also have their own side of decisions and can act accordingly since they are already college students. They should be prepared to make their own decisions. I should say that the whole advance seminar program of USEP is worth it and it should be taken by everyone since it can help them gain more knowledge about the course they are taking up. This will help them expand their knowledge and to help them explore the new technologies not only in the local but also nationally. 

Day 1 

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Documents

it elective and field trips and seminars

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